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Brian Jean is shown at a media conference on Wednesday February 25, 2015 in Calgary, Alta where he announced that he will seek the leadership of the Alberta Wildrose Party. Jim Wells/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency

Brian jean has suspended his leadership campaign for the Wildrose Party following the death of his 24-year-old son, Michael.

Jean made the announcement on Friday morning through a press release and on his Facebook page, saying he would not be campaigning “until further notice.”

Jean's son had been hospitalized at the University of Alberta Hospital during the last eight months suffering from an undiagnosed illness when he passed away. Jean was informed of his son's death Friday morning.

The former Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP has not dropped out of the campaign, though. Campaign events scheduled for the next two days will continue, however Derek Fildebrandt, the Wildrose candidate for Strathmore-Brooks, will act as a stand-in for Jean.

Jean announced his leadership bid last month in Calgary. During his speech, he said the PCs management of healthcare, infrastructure and taxation influenced his decision to run.

Doctors and nurses are working “in a horrible, broken and bureaucratic, inefficient system — it is the most frustrating and inefficient system I’ve ever seen,” said Jean, who was an MP from 2004 to 2014.

“These worries pushed me to seek the Wildrose leadership.”

Fildebrandt says the campaign is still optimistic going forward and are keeping Jean’s family in their thoughts and prayers.

“We all have a lot of faith in him. He is the best one to lead the Wildrose Party and supported by the vast majority of candidates,” he said. “Our campaign is still full-steam ahead.”

Fildebrandt will spend the weekend speaking for Jean at events in Medicine Hat, Brooks, Bassano, Strathmore and High River.

Condolences to the Jean family were sent through social media by leadership opponent Drew Barnes following the announcement.

"My thoughts and prayers are with @BrianJeanWRP and his family at this difficult time," he wrote on his Twitter account.

The party also sent him and his family their best wishes.

"Brian is a fighter and I’m proud to call him my friend. Wildrose will be here to support Brian and the Jean family, in any way we can," wrote interim party leader Heather Forsyth in a statement.

Voting in the race began March 16 and will continue until March 28. The winner will be named in Calgary.